Hive Fund Grantees Build Trust and Catalyze Clean Energy in the South

When the Windward board, staff, and I visited Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, one of Windward’s projects in Atlanta, we were reminded that trust is everything.

Low-income neighborhoods throughout the South are facing numerous climate-related challenges. Many homes in majority black neighborhoods throughout Georgia have little or no insulation, so these families’ utility bills are often two times higher than for those with newer homes. Yet, the state has divested from communities for decades, leaving these families on their own. 

Hive provides grants to organizations throughout the American South that are helping local communities to accelerate the transition to clean and sustainable energy and toward a more just and lasting future. Hive’s grantees — including the ones we visited on our recent board retreat, Sustainable Georgia Futures, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and Sixth District African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church — work with advocates like Shai Turner, a Black woman who has lived in Atlanta since the 80s, and has been an activist and community organizer for over 30 years. Together, they knock on doors, build relationships and ask communities what they really need so that energy programs fulfill promises made.

Community-centered weatherization whereby the community is first is embraced by all of the organizations Hive Fund supports. For example, when WeatheRISE ATL (a project led by Sustainable Georgia and other community partners) was first designing its weatherization program, community advocates like Shai gathered firsthand information from residents. Through conversations with the community, WeatheRISE learned weatherization wasn’t achievable for many residents. What people really needed was help completing basic home repairs before they could prioritize making their homes more energy efficient. 

Based on feedback, WeatheRISE changed tactics and created an accessible, community-centered plan to bring clean energy to Atlantans. The plan includes processes for basic repairs to older homes, weatherization support, community education initiatives, outreach programs and surveys. The program’s success has helped inspire Georgia’s statewide solar initiative.

Similarly, just outside Atlanta sits Sixth District AME Church which is catalyzing community-controlled clean energy in Lithonia, Georgia. The church has developed a clean energy microgrid program that transforms local churches into community “hubs,” known as Freedom Power Hubs. The hubs provide power to community members when other services cannot, due to their reliance on the traditional electric grid. 

The board and I visited the church, which was the very first Freedom Power Hub, and saw how its clean energy structure supports Lithonians — whether by helping them charge medical equipment or by providing a hot meal. We saw their hospitality firsthand as we shared a meal together from a local soul food restaurant. Over collard greens, fried chicken and mac & cheese from a local landmark, we engaged in conversations about the innovative ideas built on community care, resilience and creativity that are helping to create a green and equitable future for all Georgians.  

This is the exact kind of approach the field needs to truly build a more just and clean energy future for all. The Windward board and I felt fortunate to learn from  local leaders in Atlanta, and we are proud to support Hive Fund as it meets the needs of communities throughout the South.